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First Minister Mark Drakeford has accused the UK Government of too often acting “in an aggressively unilateral way” as he unveiled an updated 20-point plan to reshape the “fragile” United Kingdom.

The plan, called Reforming Our Union, was first published in October 2019 has been updated following the Senedd and Scottish Parliament elections in May and the trade agreement signed by the UK and the European Union.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Wales’ future is best served by having strong devolution – so decisions about Wales are made in Wales – and by being an equal partner in a strong and revitalised United Kingdom.

“For this to happen, the way the Union works must change. And the need for change is urgent – the Union has never been this fragile. If matters continue in their current vein the case for the break-up of the UK will only increase.

“Too often we see the UK Government act in an aggressively unilateral way, claiming to act on behalf of the whole UK, but without regard for the status of the nations and the democratic mandates of their government.

“We see muscular unionism, instead of working towards a genuinely constructive and collaborative relationship between the governments of the UK.

“It’s time for relationships to be reset. The principles and ways of working we have outlined would lead to the strong and durable Union – a Union which we believe would deliver the best outcomes for the people of Wales and the wider United Kingdom.”

What’s in the plan then?

The wide-ranging plan includes the premise that all four nations of the United Kingdom are equal voluntary partners and that the House of Lords should be reformed to protect the constitution and devolution.

A new independent public body should also be established to oversee how funding arrangements are made in the UK, instead of the UK Government.

Justice and policing should also be devolved to Wales as it is already is to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The 20 ideas outlined in Reforming Our Union are:

Basic principles

1. The United Kingdom is a voluntary union of four nations – England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales – which come together to share resources and risks.
2. Devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a permanent feature of the United Kingdom and cannot be undone, without the agreement of the people of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
3. It is very difficult to explain – and justify – the differences between the devolution settlements of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Powers should be held at the most local level possible.

Law-making powers

4. Each parliament in the UK – whether that’s the Senedd, the Scottish Parliament, Stormont in Northern Ireland or the House of Commons – should be able to decide its own size and how its members are elected.
5. The UK Parliament should not normally make law in relation to matters, which are decided on in another part of the UK without express consent. These arrangements must be properly set out.
6. A new, centralised source of funding should be found to pay for the running costs of the Senedd, the Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly, similar to how the UK Parliament is funded.
7. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should continue to be represented in the House of Commons. But the House of Lords should be reformed to reflect the make-up of the United Kingdom and be given the job of protecting the constitution and devolution.

Relationships between governments

8. The relationship between the four governments in the UK – the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive – should be based on a partnership of equals, mutual respect and be fair.
9. Ministers in every part of the UK should carry out – and be held to account for – their responsibilities in their own country, without being challenged by Ministers from another government. The UK Government should not fund other governments’ responsibilities without their consent.
10. There should be well-organised and regular opportunities for governments to work together on shared issues for the good of all people in the UK.
11. Ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should have a say in the UK’s approach to international relations and trade because these decisions have an impact on decisions made in all parts of the UK.
12. When UK-wide bodies are being created or reformed they must work for the whole UK – not just one part of it.
13. A single civil service should continue to support the Welsh, Scottish and UK governments – and work closely with the Northern Ireland civil service – provided its values of independence and impartiality are guaranteed.

Finance

14. Funding levels should be based on need – this will mean a fair level of funding is available across the UK for all. The UK Government should not be able to make funding available outside these arrangements without consent.
15. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should be funded by a combination of a needs-based grant from the UK Government and funding raised by devolved and local taxes and through borrowing.
16. A new independent public body, which is accountable to all four UK governments, should oversee these funding arrangements, instead of the UK Government.
17. Each government should determine its own tax and spending priorities and be held to account for these decisions.

Justice and the Courts

18. Justice and policing should be devolved to Wales as it is already is to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
19. The membership of the Supreme Court should reflect the make-up of the United Kingdom.

The constitution

20. A Constitutional Convention should be set up, with membership from all parts of the UK, to properly consider changes to the way the UK is governed and the relationship between the four nations.

Why now?

The pandemic has given rise to greater awareness of the powers Wales has over areas such as health. This at times has irked the UK Government – especially when Wales has decided to do things differently.

As a consequence, the UK Government has been accused of undermining devolution – especially in policy areas related to the fallout from Brexit.

One such example is the current row over Wales’ access to the UK Government’s £220m Community Renewal Fund. Responsibility for local government is the domain of the Welsh Government and Senedd, but councils have to apply directly to the fund – bypassing the Welsh Government.

Last week’s One Britain, One Nation Day, held on June 25, where the UK Government encouraged school children to sing an anthem dedicated to the union also fell flat.

Mr Drakeford suggested the exercise “did unite people across the UK – in people laughing at the absurdity of idea”.

What’s next?

The Welsh Government has announced it will set up an independent commission to consider the constitutional future of Wales. This will look at the reforms needed to empower and benefit Wales, increasing prosperity and improving quality of life and wellbeing.

Mick Antoniw MS, Counsel General and Minister for Constitution, said: “Constitutional reform is a necessity. The framework within which decisions are made has a direct impact on the services we access and communities we live in. Getting this framework right is essential as we work to create a stronger, greener, fairer Wales.

“We want to hear from as many people as possible as we start a national conversation about our future in Wales and our future relationships with the rest of the UK.”

What does the UK Government think?: “An irresponsible…distraction”

A UK Government spokesperson said: “People in Wales want to see the UK Government and the devolved Welsh Government working together to defeat the pandemic and focus on our shared recovery. 

“Choosing to prioritise constitutional issues in the middle of a pandemic is an irresponsible and unwanted distraction.

“We are strongest when we work together as one United Kingdom, and our full focus must remain on recovering from the challenges the pandemic has created – protecting jobs with furlough payments, ensuring our children can catch up on their missed education and finding jobs for our young people.”

And Plaid Cymru?: “Stop defending the indefensible”

In response to the Welsh Government setting out plans to strengthen the United Kingdom, Plaid Cymru Deputy Leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said: “Past experience shows us clearly that UK Government, be it red or blue, will never put Wales first. Labour have been talking about setting up a constitutional convention for almost a decade, with then First Minister Carwyn Jones promising this as long ago as 2012. But nothing happens. Labour’s thinking on the union, appears to be stuck in the past.

“The UK is more than fragile – it is failing utterly to deliver economic and social justice for the people of Wales. The only way of achieving this is by putting Wales’s future in Wales’s hands, free from Westminster’s chaos and incompetence. It’s why support for independence is at an all-time high, and growing. It’s time for Labour in Wales to stop defending the indefensible.”